I sent a demand letter as well, by certified mail to both Bergman and her attorney with all copies of my invoices and emails with Bergman and an itemized listing of all of my insignia that she has last week. Have not heard anything yet, and I don't really expect to. I wanted to get on the record with her attorney who is obligated to reflect the record correctly regarding the money I paid Bergman and my original insignia that she has. I'll have to see if anything shakes out of any bankruptcy.

I sent a demand letter as well, by certified mail to both Bergman and her attorney with all copies of my invoices and emails with Bergman and an itemized listing of all of my insignia that she has last week. Have not heard anything yet, and I don't really expect to. I wanted to get on the record with her attorney who is obligated to reflect the record correctly regarding the money I paid Bergman and my original insignia that she has. I'll have to see if anything shakes out of any bankruptcy.

Might be worth it for you then to get in touch w/ the Sauk County Sheriff's Dept. Making off w/ insignia/uniform items is theft, plain and simple.

Then why did she take on new orders when she already had more pre-exisitng ones than she could handle? I bet she figured she would bilk as many of us as possible, blow our money on whatever, and then escape the consequences of her criminality with a bankruptcy claim.

I sent a demand letter along with pictures of my tunic (to jog her memory...its been 21 months already since she received it for restoration), and mailed it to her address in Reedsburg today in an effort to get it back...
Also in the letter a stern warning from me that the Sheriff's department in Saulk County would get notified if it wasn't handled properly...(a consigned good, never her property, needs to get resolved!)

An additional copy of this letter was mailed to the attorney's address (144 4th Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913) (p) 608-355-0621 (f) 608-329-6324, explaining that the tunic was not her property and not part of the bankruptcy proceedings and that I would want it back ASAP.

The down payment for the restoration can go thru the bankruptcy court...$300, I can kiss that money goodbye but I do want my uniform back!!! Fingers crossed! I will also call those ph numbers and leave messages with the same content! Thanks for the help so far!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert999

And have you received a reply, or just more of her incriminating silence?

Just silence so far....No replies to my letters sent to her and the attorney (including uniform pictures)... Left some messages on both phone numbers too...

I had a (pre-paid) order for a tunic with her, last heard from her in April this year. I was not too alarmed as the order before that took 2 years (!), ordered early 2014, and received summer 2016. However when it arrived I was very pleased with it, she even took it back to make some adjustments free of charge. My impression was that she was slow but 'brilliant'.

What is irritating is that I have always been very patient, and she has come across as very honest. For example, she told me that she "couldn't possibly misrepresent any description or value on a customs declaration" etc, an attitude that I can respect and understand. But then to follow up on that 'holier than most' attitude with not even having the decency to reply to e-mails I've sent is what really grates.

At the very least she could return the insignia/ uniforms etc that we've sent.

I will contact the Attorney mentioned above, and post any updates I have here.

Today I received a package by mail from Bergman containing one completed summer weight tunic with the insignia that I had supplied, and the various pieces and pattern for an uncompleted pair of officers riding breeches that I have had on order for 3.5 years. She also returned the original insignia that I had sent her for the final outstanding tunic project that I had on order, but no refund for that project. So now I have a worthless collection of partially assembled riding breeches material and I'm still out some $2500 including the uncompleted breeches. Perhaps the itemized letter that I sent her attorney got her motivated to send the stuff that she had completed as well as my insignia, so I'd encourage anyone else out there to do the same to try and recover anything that you've sent her for your projects. Your money is, however, in the wind I fear, unless the bankruptcy proceedings identify assets that allow for some nominal or partial repayment in future. Bottom line, get on the record with her attorney for your total loss. It is highly unfortunate as Bergman created first class reproductions that are as close to originals as I've seen. What a shame. It is also mystifying why she won't complete work that she has the material to complete and full payment in hand. Disgusting.

I also received my uniform back today. I am happy. Some work was done (hardest area which was replacing the outer closure piping...It came back with a large bolt of wool to be used for refacing the collar and cuffs...A note read that because of back problems she regretfully could not finish the project.
I am OK with just getting it back! Out $300 but some work was done and I got the material for somebody else to finish it!

Nor did I. But as the old saying goes, "the mills of God grind slow, but exceedingly fine" Who knows? Maybe the judge won't be so willing to grant her bankruptcy claim once they get a look at her nefarious history?